St Paul’s Uniting Church members celebrated its 160th birthday as it continues to be an important part of the Ballan community. Image: Michael Rigby
By Marina Williams
St Paul’s Uniting Church in Ballan is marking 160 years with a renewed sense of purpose as a place of worship, welcome and community connection.
At its April anniversary celebration, the milestone carried more than historical significance. Less than three years earlier, the stone church, with its arched windows, red door and tall spire, had faced the prospect of closure.
Church secretary Dorothy Shaw says the turning point came in late 2023, when council members were ready to retire and numbers were small.
The congregation initially decided the church would close. A month later, however, “a slight majority” voted to keep going. By then, the church grounds and hall were already being opened to the community, helping members see St Paul’s still had a purpose beyond Sunday worship.
“It was felt it was too important a community asset to be sold off,” Dorothy says.
The worshipping congregation has since grown to about 10 people, but Dorothy says St Paul’s serves many more as a place of connection for local groups, community gatherings and people who might not otherwise come through its doors.
The church’s history reaches back to Ballan’s early years as a grazing district. Its foundation stone was laid on February 15, 1865, and St Paul’s opened as a Presbyterian church on July 22, 1866, according to Australian Christian Church Histories.
More than 50 people attended the April 26 celebration, held ahead of the church’s July anniversary to make the most of more inviting autumn weather.
Robyn Zanon, a lay worship leader, led a 10am thanksgiving service open to the wider community.
During the service, people from Ballan Community Friendship Garden, the local Farmers Market and Dog Chewition spoke about what the property means to them, while the Men’s Shed sent a contribution. Descendants of the family connected with the laying of the foundation stone were also welcomed.
“As a congregation we felt it important that the community knew we were still open and operating in the community and providing all the services we could,” Dorothy says. “It was a celebration acknowledging we are still here.”
Afterwards, visitors and congregation members gathered for morning tea in the hall, where visitors were invited to register as friends of the church.
The links with community groups had begun taking shape before the vote to continue, when the Farmers Market moved onto the church grounds and into the hall.
Lay worship leader Robyn Zanon led a thanksgiving service to mark the birthday celebration. Image: Michael Rigby
“It was proving to be a very popular monthly event and provided an opportunity for the church to be open for the wider community to appreciate the beauty of the building and its historical significance,” Dorothy says.
Keeping St Paul’s open required practical change.
“To continue we needed to form a council with all new members stepping up,” she adds.
The new council included farmer James Anderson as chair, with long-time members Dorothy and Gary Shaw serving as secretary and treasurer.
The congregation changed its rhythm. A traditional service is held on the second Sunday of each month, led by lay ministry workers, while a ‘chat and chew’ social gathering is held in the hall on the fourth Sunday.
Dorothy believes the changes have helped St Paul’s continue to meet the pastoral and spiritual needs of its congregation, while keeping its buildings and grounds open to the wider community.
Each second Saturday, the Farmers Market continues to draw people into the church grounds and hall. The CWA has a stall and serves Devonshire teas in the main hall, with the Men’s Shed displaying its work in a smaller hall. A church member opens St Paul’s, inviting visitors to step inside, ask about the building’s history and learn when services are held.
Dog Chewition brings people to the site most weeks, with certified dog scent work instructor Simone Daley leading sessions that offer dogs mental stimulation and owners time to connect.
“The beautiful trees provide shade for those waiting their turn,” Dorothy says.
Behind the hall, the Community Friendship Garden brings people together on Tuesday and Friday mornings to tend the beds before moving inside for “a cuppa and chat”.
The garden is shared by a disability group from Bacchus Marsh, the local Scout group, nursing home and playgroup, each with its own beds. The playgroup meets outdoors each week, moving into the hall when the weather turns. Wombat, a local art group, occasionally holds art sessions in the hall.
Dorothy says the 160th celebration recognised the long history of St Paul’s but also pointed to its future: a small worshipping congregation and a wider community using the site throughout the week.
“We are very open to different groups using our premises and make our property accessible to all the community,” she says.
